Top 10: Marathons

Number 2

Berlin Marathon

On September 30, 2007, at the Berlin Marathon, Haile Gebrselassie broke the marathon world record by an astonishing 29 seconds. After his phenomenal run, the Ethiopian Gebrselassie stood beyond the finish line wearing the traditional laurel crown. He then declared the marathon, “the king of distance” — which makes Gebrselassie the king of the road.

Like most other European courses, Berlin’s marathon has a reputation as a fast race that is efficiently organized. Since Berlin has been a city in flux since The Wall came crashing down in 1989, the course provides a fantastic tour through Berlin’s mix of the old and the new. In the East, old austere buildings still dominate the urban landscape, while cutting-edge designs, high-tech shops and commercial properties define the West. Naturally, the finish line is just beyond the infamous Brandenburg Gate in West Berlin, which used to symbolize freedom from oppressive political measures.

Number 1

London Marathon

London is the king of the castle when it comes to marathons. Like most urban marathons, London's is a relatively recent marathon, its inaugural race having occurred in 1981. Beginning in South East London, in Blackheath and Greenwich Park, the marathon winds through London’s grimy beauty, eventually finding its way along the Embankment and finishing past the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace.

A good course for producing fast times, the London Marathon also stages an immense exhibition between April 9 and 12 in London’s Docklands. In effect, it is a trade show featuring the latest designer running gear. So if you’re looking for a new GPS and a sponsored pasta party where the drunken talk tends to land on carbohydrates, check out London this spring.

times keep on slipping

With increased corporate sponsorship and purses that continue to grow, there is more pressure for world records to fall. For evidence, look no further than Dubai, where sponsors offer a million-dollar bonus for a new record, in both male and female categories. Since 2000, most major courses have seen records break, and the level of elite competition is strengthening. Given all these trends, one wonders if marathons will ultimately supplant the disgraced Tour de France in the world of non-motorized racing.